Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty took this photo of the devastation suffered by Rockport, Texas, during Hurricane Harvey. More photos of the trip can be found on his Facebook page.Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty took this photo of the devastation suffered by Rockport, Texas, during ...Credits: Matthew Doherty

Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty chose Rockport, Texas, pictured here, for the relief fund effort because of its similarities to Belmar, devastated in many of the same ways during Superstorm Sandy.Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty chose Rockport, Texas, pictured here, for the relief fund effort ...Credits: Matthew Doherty

By TAPINTO BELMAR/LAKE COMO STAFF

September 11, 2017 at 4:00 AM

BELMAR, NJ — Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty traveled on September 9 to hurricane-ravaged Rockport, Texas, where he presented Mayor Charles “CJ” Wax with a $70,000 check — the final tally collected as part of the borough’s hurricane relief fund effort.

Doherty traveled at his own expense this weekend to make the presentation as Rockport’s extensive rebuilding effort gets under way. “They are doing a remarkable job cleaning up, but still have a long road of recovery ahead of them,” the mayor reported on this Facebook page, where he has also posted photos from his visit.

Of the gift’s total amount, $41,000 was collected in donations boxes that were placed at every oceanfront entrance for the Labor Day weekend — the bulk of which was collected on Labor Day when beach access and parking fees were waived as a way to encourage beach-goers to donate to the Belmar Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for Rockport, Texas. The remainder of the money was donated through collection boxes at restaurants and other establishments participating in the effort, as well as through donations made by other individuals, businesses and organizations in the community.

After Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Gulf Coast of Texas on August 25, Doherty organized the fundraising effort for Rockport because of its similarities to Belmar, devastated in many of the same ways when Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Jersey coastline in 2012.

The small coastal town with a population of about 10,000 now is in the midst of rebuilding, and Doherty would like to see the money used to provide critical financial assistance to its residents directly. “Through our experience with Superstorm Sandy, we know that after the cameras are gone and the story dies down, the residents are faced with the personal financial impact of it all — how to pay their mortgage, credit cards, cell phone bills, car payments. There’s no money for people struggling with those hardships, which can last for weeks, months and even years,” he said.

At its September 5 meeting, the Belmar Borough Council officially designated Rockport as a “sister city” — joining together to enhance mutual understanding and to aid in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

MONTCLAIR, NJ - Toni’s Kitchen partners closely with local institutions including the Bloomfield Public Library, preschools, and aftercare programs to ensure that children have fresh, healthy food reliably available. All-Ways Advertising President, Robert Lieberman, took note of this work and recently stepped in to help expand the number of families reached in Bloomfield.

BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- Local Boy Scout Troop 22 was hard at work last week making improvements to the triangular plot of land at the intersection of John F. Kennedy Drive and Liberty Street, a popular destination on the Morris Canal Greenway.

The project was spearheaded by Brendan Somers, an Eagle Scout Candidate from Boy Scout Troop 22, Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, which has a healthy mix ...

BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- Local Boy Scout Troop 22 was hard at work last week making improvements to the ...

BLOOMFIELD, NJ - Forget the holiday dinner prep, spend Wednesday night enjoying “Comedy Night at The Saloon” is a brand new monthly comedy series from local producer GNOME Promotions in Bloomfield. This comedy show is at The Wooden Spoon and Saloon right in Bloomfield Center on Nov 21 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for this event are only $5.00 if you go into the Wooden Spoon and purchase before 11/21.

The 13-year-old wanted to help the community, so he reached out to his neighbors and local businesses for donations. HE then took the proceeds and purchased Thanksgiving food items. He made twelve complete meal bags that included turkeys, stuffing, ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Ever wanted to own your own amusement park like Michael Jackson? Now you can, and your don't have to wait on line for tickets!

Bowcraft, the scene of countless local children's birthday parties and decades of summer fun in Union County, has closed forever, but thanks to an online liquidation sale, you can purchase rides such as the Galleon, the Scrambler or the Flying ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Ever wanted to own your own amusement park like Michael Jackson? Now you can, ...

BLOOMFIELD, NJ - TAPinto Bloomfield is partnering with GNOME Promotions to give away TWO tickets for an amazing comedy show at The Wooden Spoon and Saloon right in Bloomfield Center on 11/21 at 8pm. “Comedy Night at The Saloon” is a brand new monthly comedy series run by local producer GNOME Promotions.

Please take a minute to follow the link, register and enter to win! All it takes is your ...

BLOOMFIELD, NJ - Bloomfield resident Jenn Stilwell's cranberry jelly recipe remains the worst kept secret in the township. First published in 2016 when TAPinto Bloomfield was only a few months old, this recipe will probably be published the weekend before Thanksgiving every year.

Stilwell's jelly was been the subject of a great deal of chatter in town back in 2016. Then. local business ...